Bike Month, a month-long celebration of pedal-powered transportation is upon us and Salt Lake City and the state of Utah have made numerous plans to celebrate the magnificent invention.

With bike-to-school days, open roads events and the ever-popular Bike Bonanza at Salt Lake’s Gallivan Plaza, Utah has no shortage of events or parties during May.The month got a bit of an early start with the annual Utah Bike Summit on April 26 where discussions and presentations were made to help promote cycling in the state and foster an environment of active development of cycling as a key component of Utah’s future.

May 7 is Bike To Work Day in Salt Lake City. Mayor Ralph Becker will lead a procession of bike-commuters in the state’s capitol city. The rest of the Utah and the U.S. will be celebrating Bike Week from May 13-18. Bike to Work days are featured throughout the state. The Bike Bonanza and the Cycle Salt Lake Century cap the week on May 17 and 18th respectively.

The fifth annual Bicycle Art Gallery Roll on May 17 will also be back as Salt Lake City Bicycle Company leads a celebration of bicycle-related art throughout the city.

Century rides, from the annual Cycle Salt Lake Century on May 18 to the Ghost Ride Century on May 11 and a less rigorous Ride of Silence on May 15 will get people moving throughout the region.

May 4 — OpenStreets Salt Lake City – Ci.SLC.lovia, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, Utah, Designed to engage new people in bicycling and physical activity. The event will temporarily open a route of city streets exclusively to walking, biking, and other forms of active transportation. Includes activities such as exercise classes, dance classes, music, food, games and other attractions along the iconic downtown corridor of 300 South/Broadway between the City & County Building and the Rio Grande Depot. Coincides with the LiveGreen Festival, happening at the east end of the route., Colin Quinn-Hurst, 801-535-6630, [email protected], bikeslc.com

May 7 — Salt Lake County and City Mayor’s Bike to Work Day, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, Utah, A mellow ride with Mayor Ben McAdams / Mayor Ralph Becker and other city mayors under police escort from Liberty Park to the County Complex and then to the City & County Building in downtown Salt Lake City. Liberty Park (700 E 900 S, northeast corner) to the Salt Lake County Government Center (2100 S State St) then continuing to the City & County Building (451 S State St), 7:30 am., Colin Quinn-Hurst, 801-535-6134, [email protected], Cynthia Stringham, 801-535-6167, [email protected], bicycle.slco.org, slcgov.com/biketoworkday

May 8 — National Bike to School Day, Utah Bike Month, Everywhere, Utah, A day to climb out of the motor vehicle and onto your bike on your way to school., Curtis Clayton, 801-287-2062, [email protected],

May 10 — Salt Lake Bike Party, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, Utah, 6 pm, Salt Lake City and County Building – East Side Pullout, Salt Lake Bike Party is an opportunity for all types of bicyclists to ride throughout the Salt Lake area in a safe, fun environment that encourages more widespread engagement in bicycling.We want: To ride safely and follow all traffic rules; To build a strong community of bicyclists; To foster mutual respect between bicyclists and motorists; To have fun – Smile, wave, laugh, meet new people, bring some music along., facebook.com/events/136854259831057/

May 11 — The Ghost Ride, Utah Bike Month, Tooele, Utah, The Ghost Ride is a 100 or 62 mile cycling tour of Utah's Tooele Valley. Honoring the cyclists who are no longer with us, we begin with a short ride of silence and then enjoy a ride of celebration as we visit small towns, scenic vistas and rolling hills in Utah's west desert terrain., Jared Eborn, 801-599-9268, [email protected], theghostride.com, Online Registration

May 12 — Cyclofemme Ride, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, Utah, Come ride Salt Lake's finest bike lanes and bike paths with women of all ages and abilities. Never ridden on the streets of Salt Lake? Let this be your introduction to riding in the city. Bring the kids, bring your mom, bring a lunch, but most important, bring your bike. The ride will be approximately ten miles and will start and end at Liberty Park. Salt Lake Bike Maps will be available at the ride. Start 1 pm at the NW corner of Liberty Park. Look for the Spoke Stoke banner., Carly Clifton, 419-605-6060, [email protected], facebook.com/spokestoke

May 12 — Cyclofemme Ride, Utah Bike Month, Salt Lake City, Utah, Non-competitive fun ride to celebrate bicycles, women, and the men who support women! This ride will be along Legacy Trail Parkway, the total ride is approximately 23 miles, out and back. Start at the “Center Street” trailhead (approximately 1130 West Center Street, North Salt Lake). We will have CycloFemme 2013 temporary tattoos for the first 20 participants. Everyone is welcome.
Bring: you, loved ones/friends/family, your bike, helmet, hydration/nutrition and a great attitude! , Sara Howard, [email protected], cyclofemme.com

May 15 — Ride of Silence, Utah Bike Month, Provo, Utah, 7 pm, Cyclists will take to the roads, escorted in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. 150 S. University Ave., Blu Robinson, 801-319-7218, 801-426-8800, [email protected], rideofsilence.org